Category Archives: Understand the Bible

I recently read an interesting and ironic article on Deseret News’, Mormon Times news outlet. The article attempted to draw similarities between Harry Potter, Voldemort, and excommunication. Mormon Times writer, Sharon Haddock, reports that a speaker at the Annual Religious Education Student Symposium makes the case that excommunication has become the Mormon equivalent to Voldemort. She explains that Mormons all know of excommunication but choose to approach it similar to those in the movie, Harry Potter, approach Voldemort. Instead of speaking his name they rather refer to him as “He Who Must Not Be Named.” The article continues to explain that excommunication has become a “taboo” topic when in fact it is something much more pleasant, an incredible act of mercy and symbolism for God’s own love for us. This article could not be more inaccurate, and can only be explained as being an outright propaganda piece for Salt Lake.

Despite the articles assertions, there is nothing pleasant about being threatened or actually excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint, except for the possibility that those who have been excommunicated might be more inclined to see Mormonism for what it truly is and to accept the Christ of the New Testament. The prospect of being excommunicated within the LDS Church is another example of the temporal structure within the church effectively limiting the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ, thus distorting Biblical truth. According to the LDS Church, Christ’s blood alone is not sufficient to rectify the sins that make excommunication necessary. One could draw a parallel between the doctrine of “blood atonement” taught by Brigham Young and this current excommunication phenomenon. It is essentially teaching that we must kill your membership and spirit in order to save it. I will have to vigorously denounce and disagree with these assertions, as they are not in harmony with the teachings of the Bible. While there is Biblical precedence for excommunication, and I agree with it’s temporal necessity, in Mormonism it takes on a different meaning than what is detailed with the Books of Matthew and 1 Corinthians. To fully understand these connotations, you must understand that LDS doctrine teaches there is no glory or living again with God without full membership in their church and completion of their temple ordinances and rituals.

The prospect and threat of excommunication hangs over the heads of every single active and inactive member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This damaging and far reaching action is at the disposal of any Bishop and Stake President. According to the 2006 version of the Church Handbook of Instructions – Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics gives the following definition, “A person who is excommunicated does not enjoy any of the privileges of Church membership. He may not wear temple garments or pay tithes and offerings…excommunication almost always lasts at least one year.” The Handbook also gives a warning that a member of the church who is excommunicated will have their “temple blessings revoked.” It is not hard to understand why members of the church are reluctant to speak the name of excommunication openly; it has the potential, in their minds, to affect their ability to achieve glory, their family’s ability to remain together, and their status within the church or ward. Being excommunicated is like taking a nuclear weapon to a person’s reputation and status with their close-knit congregations.

Knowing what excommunication is within the LDS faith is one thing, but how does one bring upon themselves this weapon of mass reputation destruction? Let us return to the handbook that Bishops and Stake Presidents are supposed to use as an official guide. According the 2006 Handbook it states that a member “may” be excommunicated for the following:

Serious transgressions

Violations of temple covenants

Unrepentant disfellowshipped members

Members who make serious threats to other members

Church leaders or members that “impair” the good name of the church

Murder

Incest

The Handbook goes on the explain what behaviors necessitate a church “Disciplinary Council.” This church version of a criminal court is only symbolically so with no jury of peers or defense council but rather the arbitrary judgment of a Stake President, Counselors, and the Stake High Council. A member “must” be tried for the following transgression, infraction, or sins:

The Handbook indicates the following “may not” be necessary for inclusion in Disciplinary Council, but leaves the door open:

1. Failure to comply with some church standards
2. Business failure
3. Non payment of Debts
4. Civil Disputes
5. Sins admitted after a significant passage of time

The Disciplinary Council has at its disposal the following options once judgment is rendered: No action, Formal Probation, Disfellowshipment, and Excommunication. Ironically the sin that is discussed most in-depth and prominently within the Handbook of Instruction is that of “Apostasy.” This “transgression” is perhaps one of the most feared and misunderstood charges that can be leveled against any member of the LDS Church whether they are active or not. According to the Handbook the following are all hallmarks of members who may have fallen into apostasy:

Repeatedly act in clear, open, and deliberate public opposition to the Church or it’s leaders.

Persist in teaching as Church doctrine information that is not Church doctrine after they have been corrected…

Continue to follow the teachings of apostate sects (such as those that advocate plural marriage) after being corrected

Formally join another church

Many members believe that by openly disagreeing with church authorities whether it be on the local level or Salt Lake opens themselves up to becoming defendants in a Disciplinary Council. Once again it becomes a situation or an environment where members are not only afraid to openly discuss the specifics of excommunication but even more terrified that by openly discussing it that their thoughts and discussion could become fodder for a priesthood sanctioned Apostasy investigation, as allowed by the Handbook.

The threat of excommunication is often used as a politically motivated weapon. It has been speculated by many that have been excommunicated that Salt Lake routinely orchestrates local Disciplinary Councils in order to quietly take care of those members who have become critical of Salt Lake or the LDS Church as a whole. Many of the infamous “September Six,” who were excommunicated in September 1993, contended that Boyd Packer, Apostle of The LDS Church, played a significant behind-the-scenes role in their excommunications, despite the church policy that excommunications are suppose to be strictly a local affair. It is becoming increasingly clear that the church leadership both locally and in Salt Lake are increasingly growing weary of those that point out flaws in history or doctrine, making strategic excommunication a convenient tool.

As if the threat of having your life as a Mormon turned upside down is not significant enough, the Bishop and Stake President are given sole discretion to announce excommunications to the congregation, especially if the related charge is apostasy. The Handbook specifically encourages this public announcement when the individual has been speaking out and disagreeing publicly with church leaders. Curiously the handbook encourages Bishops not to publicly discuss excommunication when sexual sins are involved, indicating that those allegations could be damaging to a family. Ironically, it was my observation while in Mormonism that families stood to lose more friends and influence for “Apostasy” than any allegation of sexual sin.

Unfortunately, the recent trend has been to strategically leak the details of the investigation, Disciplinary Council, and subsequent excommunication to the press, when a high profile member of the LDS is involved. For example, take the case of the former Bishop Simon Southerton, who has been at the forefront of making public information relating to the DNA problems related to the Book of Mormon. He has been extremely vocal and public in his research that calls church doctrine, leaders, and scriptures into question. Rather than excommunicate him for apostasy, it was broadcast that he was to be charged with adultery, and excommunicated in 2005. To make matters worse the LDS Church violated it’s own Handbook and guidelines by publishing the following in their own newspaper, Deseret News:

An Australian who wrote a book saying DNA evidence contradicts ancestral claims of Mormon belief faces disciplinary action that could get him excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Simon Southerton has been ordered to appear at a July 31 hearing before church leaders in Canberra, Australia… rather than charge him with apostasy, LDS leaders in his area have charged him with adultery. (2005)

Ironically, it is not allowed to announce excommunication for adultery to the congregation, but the LDS Church can publish it in their newspaper?

No one is immune to the potential of church discipline. I observed this firsthand while attending Brigham Young University in Idaho. After repeatedly asking questions and for clarification regarding early church history and leadership in my religion classes, I was asked to stop, by my Bishop. This harrowing appointment with my Bishop came as a result of asking my religion professor why seminary and BYU did not teach about the events surrounding the Kirtland Anti-Banking Safety Society. I was told in class that I was not being “faith promoting.” Later in the Bishop’s office, I was told that I was causing problems in class with these “sorts” of questions, and that they indicated that I had “ulterior motives.” He was adamant that this was not going to be tolerated, and could easily be construed as apostasy. He went on to ask if I would like to call my parents and explain to them why I had been excommunicated and expelled from school.

I certainly understand the temporal need for excommunication for murder, incest, and predators but to freely and openly use it as a bully technique for quieting discussion and disagreement is certainly not in keeping with the Holy Spirit and doctrine of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The tactics used by LDS Church leadership relating to excommunication and Disciplinary Councils seem closer to Nazi Germany rather than a church that claims to be the “one true church.” It is little doubt why members of the LDS Church are terrified to even speak the word “excommunication” as this writer reports. The ramification of being involved in a Disciplinary Council and Excommunication are so far reaching and detrimental to someone’s life within the LDS Church, both officially and socially; it should be regarded with a measure of fear and avoidance. It is principally one of the reasons that my wife and I decided to legally have our names removed from the records of the LDS Church, rather than wait for a frustrated church leader to excommunicate us for being involved with another Church or being critical towards LDS Church leaders. Our greater fear was that something far more sinister would be alleged as the reason for excommunication, and freely announced to our LDS friends and family, leaving us with little recourse to publicly clear our names.

There is currently an international obsession, perhaps even an infatuation, with the term, “Christian.” Suddenly every denomination, group, and church wants to take upon them this designation. Some faiths that previously had boasted regarding their differences with Christianity, or even demonstrated outright rebuke of mainstream Christianity are now turning to this term with full embrace. There seems to be an incredible misunderstanding regarding the meanings, origins, and ramification of this term. Let’s take a moment and examine the meaning and historical contexts, allowing you to decide whether your religious doctrine or if your personal beliefs will allow you to take this incredible and transforming designation upon yourself.

It is interesting that while there are references to this term within the pages of the Bible, the term was not used widely, nor was it claimed by Christ himself when teaching his disciples and followers. The first recorded use of this term was within the book of Acts. In Acts 11:26 it says, “…The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (NIV).” The term is once again introduced a short time later in Acts 26:28 when Herod Agrippa II responds to the Apostle Paul, “… Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” It comes again within 1 Peter 4:16, “However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (NIV). Within non-Christian texts the term is first recorded to have been used when Josephus records the following within the Antiquities of Jews, “the tribe of Christians, so named from him.” Tacitus also used the term to record that “Christians” were responsible for the Great Fire of Rome, in 65 A.D.

This term itself is bore out of the Greek, Χριστιανός (christianos), which is taken from, “Χριστός (christos).” This Greek term, Χριστός (christos), is understood to mean “anointed one.” Christos was also used to translate the Hebrew, מָשִׁיחַ, or Messiah; which means “the one who is anointed.” As an interesting note the adjectival ending on the term “christianos” denotes belonging to, as in slave ownership (Bickerman 1949). Very early Christians were defined as those who would accept and declare that “Jesus is Lord.” By this declaration they are submitting to the Blood of Jesus Christ and become as Paul wrote in Romans bondservants to Him.

One of the defining criteria for Christians is their bold declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord, but what does it mean to declare Christ Lord? The term Lord or LORD with the Bible is derived from the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, YHWH; a sacred Hebrew name for God. This sacred name is made even more personal when God declares himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14, by declaring both hid name and his nature, “I AM THAT I AM”. Within the confines of this simple statement He is declaring His self-existent, all-powerful nature to Moses, so that he may declared God to His people! Incredibly it becomes even more personal than just a name, when God comes in flesh, and in John 8:58 he boldly declares His name, “…before Abraham was born, I AM!” (NIV) As Christians, when declaring Christ as Lord we are making a bold declaration that Christ is the Jehovah of the Old Testament; that He is the one true, eternal, self-existing God come in flesh to rescue his people through the cross (John 1:1,14).

Knowing the importance of declaring Lordship is one thing but some might be asking how do we personally declare this? The Apostle Paul writes about this very subject in his letter to the Romans. In the fifth chapter, verses 5-8, Paul writes:

… God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV)

Our ability to declare Christ’s divinity comes as a result of not only our acknowledgement, but our ownership of our “powerless” nature to overcome our own sins. We are the “ungodly” that Paul speaks of in the preceding scripture, but despite this condition our God demonstrated his love for us, by coming to Earth to die for us! We demonstrate our faith in Christ’s divinity by placing Him at the center of our worship. We grow that faith and deepen our worship by establishing a lasting, meaningful, and connected relationship with Him.

Additionally, taking upon the name of Christ and declaring Him to be Lord, requires that we acknowledge His substituationary atonement, as spoken of in Isaiah 53:4-5. In Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth he declares, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” To be a Christian one must acknowledge, believe, and surrender to the One that had no sin and yet sacrificed Himself for us!

This relationship in Christ is solidified and deepened when we as followers surrender to Him; acknowledging the power and efficacy of His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. Christ teaches in John 11:25-26, while comforting Martha, “…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Do we now believe in this? Will we not trust in Him that he alone has the power to conquer sin and death? Taking the name of Christ upon you requires your possession of this gift and a call to profess it.

With these sacred declarations and relationship comes the responsibility to defend the name of Jesus Christ from those that seek to diminish his Lordship. The adversary seeks to lead God’s people from the presence of our Father through deceit and lies. It is our responsibility as followers and bondservants of Jesus Christ to see that this does not occur. This is particularly true as the adversary seeks to use an empty definition of Christ to accomplish his nefarious plan of destruction. We are warned of this in Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Corinth,

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” (2 Cor. 11:3-4 NIV)

This frightening warning from Paul is still very much applicable in our day and age. Paul is warning us of those that teach of different Christ’s from that taught within the Bible. Paul continues by offering a stern warning to those that entertain different Gospels. We cannot afford to be led astray by those that preach anything other than a “pure devotion to Christ.” That “pure devotion” must be centered around the Christ that is taught of and foretold of by the Bible; the Christ that is God come in flesh, that is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). Anything less than this is surely to result in our eternal condemnation (Galatians 1:8-9 NIV). There are sects, groups, and major religions that are currently preaching different gospels and Christs that are specifically targeting those that acknowledge Christ but do not yet have a relationship with Him. They seek to pervert the Gospel of Jesus Christ by relegating Him and His mighty sacrifice to the footnotes of their doctrines! As Christians, it is our duty and divine responsibility to refute these teachings, while loving those that have been lost to the lies of the adversary!

The hallmarks of walking with Christ are joy, peace, and an assurance that we do not walk alone. We are taught in Phillipians that, “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The adversary desperately wants to separate us from that which gives us comfort, instead leaving us with discouragement, sadness, and despair. As devout followers of Christ we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 explains it best, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Unfortunately, many on this earth including some that profess a believe in Christ walk in defeat and discouraged by the rigors of this life. Were we expected to go this journey alone there would be real reason to become discourage, but rest assured we do not walk alone. Instead we comforted and asked to trust our Lord. We need to worry whether our might will be truly enough to defend against that which seeks to destroy us. We are given the example of David in the book of 1 Samuel, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands (17:47).” Our intimacy with the Lord and our ability to rely on his strength will see that we are victorious through Him. Our simple act of invoking the name of the Lord in our hours of need is a divine power and priveledge given to those that choose to walk closely with Him.

In Philippians 2:9-12 we are taught, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Christ’s name is above every name to point where those that hear it should bow! The glory and majesty that is Christ name is further evidenced by verse 8 of 1 Peter, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” We may be under attack, our minds may be under siege as the adversary seeks to undo what we have established with our Lord and Savior, but take solace and comfort in the fact that are afforded the protection and glory of God through Jesus Christ!

The concept of God The Father coming to Earth to engage in sexual relations with Mary is revolting and dangerous doctrine. There is no more obvious a molestation of Biblical scripture than with the propagation of this teaching. One may not hear current church leadership engaging in open discussion relating to this issue, but this doctrine is crucial in substantiating the Mormon concept of an extra-Biblical Christ and their promise of individual godhood. The implications of teaching this concept are far darker than just substantiating a polytheistic tenet but instead it endorses polyandry, violation of marital covenants, incest and a repudiation of Biblical writings, which is still regarded as canon among the LDS.

Some younger members of the Mormon Church may question whether this is doctrinal at all, or just an attempt to slander the church. This, like many other crucial and pivotal doctrines of the LDS church, are still believed and held as important and sacred doctrine, but have been subtly moved into the shadows to allow for a “Christianization” of the LDS Church. In other words, the LDS leadership is attempting to make the church appear more Protestant friendly in an attempt to continue positive missionary momentum.

Returning to the discussion of the accuracy and authenticity of this doctrine, consider the writings of Mormon President, Brigham Young, “"The birth of the Saviour was as natural as are the births of our children; it was the result of natural action. He partook of flesh and blood—was begotten of his Father, as we were of our fathers," (Journal of Discourses, v. 8, p. 115). He further explains, in a clear rejection of Biblical writings, "Now, remember from this time forth, and for ever, that Jesus Christ was not begotten by the Holy Ghost," (Journal of Discourses, vol. 1, p. 51). Brigham Young’s comments clearly enunciate the Mormon position regarding the conception of Jesus through physical means. This would effectively render Mary’s claims of a virgin and miraculous conception null and void.

Contrast those statements with the writings and teachings of the Bible. In Matthew 1:18 it states without confusion that, “she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” Later the declaration becomes even bolder still in verse 23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Luke 1:23 KJV) Furthermore, this is reinforced in the Gospel of Luke, “And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” (Luke 1:29-31 KJV). Mormon doctrine and leadership clearly rejects the Bible and the doctrine contained within it.

Considering the venue for these remarks, Facebook, my readers might be saying, “Well that was a long time ago…I am sure that is not what the church teaches now!” Fair question and observation, since many other doctrines have changed over the last 170 years, for a more modern perspective let’s review the comments by Bruce R. McConkie. McConkie is largely considered one of the preeminent theologians and doctrinal mind of modern Mormonism. In his groundbreaking book that is staple within many Mormons homes, Mormon Doctrine, he writes, “"Christ was begotten by an Immortal Father in the same way that mortal men are begotten by mortal fathers," (Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 547). He goes even further, leaving little doubt to the voracity and relevance of this teaching within Mormonism, "And Christ was born into the world as the literal Son of this Holy Being; he was born in the same personal, real, and literal sense that any mortal son is born to a mortal father. There is nothing figurative about his paternity; he was begotten, conceived and born in the normal and natural course of events,…Christ is the Son of Man, meaning that his Father (the Eternal God!) is a Holy Man." (Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie, p. 742).

To truly appreciate the vile nature of these teaching, one must consider other crucial Mormon doctrines relating to the marital relations and nature of God The Father, according to Mormonism. Consider the declaration made within the Mormon canon, The Doctrine and Covenants. In D&C Section 130:3, "The Father has a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man’s." According to Mormon doctrine, God is comprised of a glorified physical body. This gives a new reality to the previously mentioned teachings of sexual relations between God and Mary. The next dimension of the topic to consider is the fact that many Mormons, including it’s leadership firmly believes in the existence of Heavenly Mother or Mothers. Consider the following passage written by McConkie:

“This doctrine that there is a Mother in Heaven was affirmed in plainness by the First Presidency of the Church (Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund) when, in speaking of pre-existence and the origin of man, they said that ‘man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father,’ that man is the ‘offspring of celestial parentage,’ and that ‘all men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother and are literally the sons and daughters of Deity.’ (Man: His Origin and Destiny, pp.348-355.)” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 1966, p. 516)

This is further affirmed by teachings featured in the LDS periodicals and Sunday School manuals. These materials were endorsed and written by LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley. “Logic and reason would certainly suggest that if we have a Father in Heaven, we have a Mother in Heaven. That doctrine rests well with me. However, in light of the instruction we have received from the Lord Himself, I regard it as inappropriate for anyone in the Church to pray to our Mother in Heaven” (Gordon Hinckley, “Daughters of God,”Ensign (Conference Edition), November 1991, p.100. See also The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p.257. The ramifications of God engaging in relations with Mary, according to the teaching of Mormon doctrine is alarming at best, as it meant, in the very least, that God would have violated his marital covenants with “Heavenly Mother.” Additionally, consider the consequences of this belief, as it would mean that God, the Spiritual Father of us all, entered into physical relations with Mary…a practice that we refer to today as incest.

Having discussed these teachings and the Biblical truth relating to the conception and birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, I want to close with a call to immerse yourselves in the living Word of God. The Bible contains the everlasting message from God to his people. This Christmas season commit your life to following Christ. Christ boldly declares in John 11:25-26, while comforting Martha, “…I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth on me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Do we now believe in this? Will we not trust in Him that he alone has the power to conquer sin and death? As Christmas approaches let us heed the divine counsel of our God come in flesh (John 1:1, 14). I will close with the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter the Ephesus, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19).”